Embracing Differences What it takes to transform the culture?
Dec 7, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Kathleen Mahoney, a human rights expert, and Larry Philip Fontaine, a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, delve into the historical impact of the Canadian residential school system. They explore the need for cultural understanding and the significance of resilience among Indigenous communities. The conversation also highlights the importance of empathy, storytelling, and culturally aware approaches to justice and safety. Their insights emphasize the transformative power of acknowledging past traumas to foster healing and reconciliation.
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Phil's Residential School Experience
- Larry Philip Fontaine shared his personal experience attending multiple residential schools and the isolation from his community.
- He described the cultural shock and long-lasting impact of these schools on Indigenous identity.
Assimilation's Lasting Harm
- Residential schools aimed for assimilation by erasing Indigenous culture and language.
- This led to deep psychological harm and difficulty reintegrating into communities.
Risk and Safety's Cultural Imposition
- Risk and safety practices often impose Western cultural norms on non-Western workers, ignoring their beliefs.
- This moral superiority mirrors colonial assimilation, leading to misunderstanding and inefficacy.